Safety at Marcellus

The safety and security of students and staff is a top priority at Marcellus Central School District.
In May 2014, the district introduced a safety program called Raptor vSoft to keep unwanted visitors out, while tracking those with permission to enter the three school buildings.

After buzzing in, visitors must report directly to the school’s main office, where they are asked to show his or her license or other state-issued identification. Next, the ID is swiped through a scanner and instantly screened for registered sex offenders in all 50 states, as well as individuals with restraining orders, custody issues, suspended or expelled students, known gang members and other trespassers.

If a potential threat is identified, vSoft’s system instantly alerts designated officials, such as administrators and law enforcement, including the district’s three school resource officers (see below), via email, text messaging and/or page. When a visitor is cleared, vSoft prints a badge featuring his or her name, photo, date, time and destination, according to Raptor’s website.

Record of excellence

For five consecutive years, Utica National Insurance Group has awarded top honors to Marcellus Central School District for its efforts to keep students, staff and visitors safe.

In March 2014, Marcellus received its fifth “School Safety Excellence Award.” The district has consistently earned “titanium with honors,” the highest of the award’s three levels, by meeting specific criteria to enhance its overall safety in such areas as bullying prevention programs and playground safety.

School resource officers

As part of its commitment to the safety and security of its students, Marcellus has assigned a school resource officer (SRO) – a trained law enforcement officer– at each of its three school buildings on its campus. The SROs monitor campus safety and security, thanks to enhancements that include more than 70 video cameras, a security alarm system controlled by key card access readers and motion detectors for 24/7 campus surveillance.